2014 Chiefs (rugby union) season

Last updated

Chiefs
2014 season
Head coach Dave Rennie
Captain Liam Messam
Aaron Cruden
Brodie Retallick
Stadium Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui
ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Overall competition5th
N.Z. Conference2nd
RecordWon 8, Drew 2, Lost 7
Top try scorerAll: Tim Nanai-Williams (7)
Top points scorerAll: Aaron Cruden (104)
← 2013 2015 →

The year 2014 was a challenging year for the Chiefs rugby team as they looked for their third straight super rugby title. They won eight of their Super Rugby games and finished fifth overall on the table, and second behind the Crusaders in the New Zealand Conference. Playing the Brumbies in the qualifying finals, they had a narrow loss, losing 32-30, which ended their super rugby season.

Contents

Standings

The final standings of the 2014 Super Rugby season were: [1]

Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Conference
PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
1 Crusaders 161105445322+12341364351
2 Chiefs 16826384378+644355344
3 Highlanders 16808401442−4139525542
4 Hurricanes 16808439374+6549366341
5 Blues 16709419395+2446436337
Overall standings
PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs 161204481272+20955249158
2 Flag of New Zealand.svg Crusaders 161105445322+12341364351
3 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks 161105406293+11329222450
4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies 161006412378+3449354145
5 Flag of New Zealand.svg Chiefs 16826384378+644355344
6 Flag of New Zealand.svg Highlanders 16808401442−4139525542
7 Flag of New Zealand.svg Hurricanes 16808439374+6549366341
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Force 16907343393−5037403140
9 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls 16718365335+3028293538
10 Flag of New Zealand.svg Blues 16709419395+2446436337
11 Flag of South Africa.svg Stormers 16709290326−3630292232
12 Flag of South Africa.svg Lions 16709367413−4631462131
13 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds 165011374493−11942524428
14 Flag of South Africa.svg Cheetahs 164111372527−15538593324
15 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rebels 164012303460−15729491421

Results

The following fixtures were released 7 October 2013. [2]

Round 221 February 2014 Crusaders 10–18 Chiefs AMI Stadium, Christchurch  
19:35Try: Sam Whitelock Ru ball.svg 49'
Con: Tom Taylor Rugby penalty.svg 50' (1/1)
Pen: Tyler Bleyendaal (0/5)
Tom Taylor Rugby penalty.svg 74' (1/3)
Cards: Dominic Bird Yellow card.svg 37' to 42'
George Whitelock Yellow card.svg 44' to 56'		Report [3] [4]
Scoreboard [5] [6] 		Try: Robbie Fruean Ru ball.svg 10'
James Lowe Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 80' (1/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 39', 45' (2/2)
Cards: Ben Tameifuna Yellow card.svg 40' to 50'		Attendance: 17,300
Referee: Chris Pollock
Round 31 March 2014 Chiefs 21–19 Highlanders Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: Tim Nanai-Williams Ru ball.svg 10'
Liam Messam Ru ball.svg 48'
Charlie Ngatai Ru ball.svg 68'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 11', 49', 69' (3/3)
Pen: Aaron Cruden (0/2)		Report [7]
Scoreboard [8] 		Try: John Hardie Ru ball.svg 32'
Con: Lima Sopoaga Rugby penalty.svg 33' (1/1)
Pen: Lima Sopoaga Rugby penalty.svg 3', 20', 38', 58' (4/4)		Attendance: 14,120
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
Round 514 March 2014 Chiefs 36–20 Stormers Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: James Lowe Ru ball.svg 16'
Tom Marshall Ru ball.svg 40'
Tawera Kerr-Barlow Ru ball.svg 41'
Tevita Koloamatangi Ru ball.svg 77'
Tanerau Latimer Ru ball.svg 81'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 17', 40', 42', 78' (4/4)
Tanerau Latimer (0/1)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 5' (1/2)		Report [9]
Scoreboard [10] 		Try: Gio Aplon Ru ball.svg 62'
Nizaam Carr Ru ball.svg 75'
Con: Peter Grant Rugby penalty.svg 63', 76' (2/2)
Pen: Demetri Catrakilis Rugby penalty.svg 2', 20' (2/3)		Attendance: 14,000
Referee: Craig Joubert
Round 622 March 2014 Force 18–15 Chiefs {{{s}}}, [[{{{slan}}}]] 
19:00Try: Matt Hodgson Ru ball.svg 13', 46'
Con: Sias Ebersohn Rugby penalty.svg 47' (1/2)
Pen: Sias Ebersohn Rugby penalty.svg 26', 58' (2/3)		Report [11]
Scoreboard [12] 		Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 18', 31', 40', 62' (4/4)
Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 44' (1/1)
Cards: Michael Fitzgerald Yellow card.svg 36' to 47'		Attendance: 16,380
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
Round 729 March 2014 Bulls 34–34 Chiefs Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  
15:00Try: Deon Stegmann Ru ball.svg 30'
penalty try Ru ball.svg 45'
Bjorn Basson Ru ball.svg 49'
Con: Jacques-Louis Potgieter Rugby penalty.svg 46', 50' (2/3)
Pen: Jacques-Louis Potgieter Rugby penalty.svg 10', 23', 40', 55', 75' (5/5)
Drop: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (0/1)		Report [13]
Scoreboard [14] 		Try: Mils Muliaina Ru ball.svg 14'
Liam Messam Ru ball.svg 18'
Gareth Anscombe Ru ball.svg 70'
Matt Symons Ru ball.svg 76'
Aaron Cruden Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 19' (1/2)
Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 71', 81' (2/3)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 37' (1/3)
Cards: Matt Symons Yellow card.svg 46' to 56'		Attendance: 24,164
Referee: Craig Joubert
Round 85 April 2014 Cheetahs 43–43 Chiefs Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
15:00Try: Sarel Pretorius Ru ball.svg 7', 35'
Rayno Benjamin Ru ball.svg 15'
Boom Prinsloo Ru ball.svg 38'
Con: Johan Goosen Rugby penalty.svg 8', 16', 36', 39' (4/4)
Pen: Johan Goosen Rugby penalty.svg 19', 30', 55', 72', 78' (5/7)
Drop: Johan Goosen (0/1)		Report [15]
Scoreboard [16] 		Try: Augustine Pulu Ru ball.svg 27', 52'
Tim Nanai-Williams Ru ball.svg 60', 82'
Asaeli Tikoirotuma Ru ball.svg 63', 70'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 28', 53', 64', 70', 83' (5/6)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 13' (1/1)
Asaeli Tikoirotuma (0/1)		Attendance: 14,993
Referee: Craig Joubert
Round 912 April 2014 Chiefs 22–16 Rebels Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: Michael Fitzgerald Ru ball.svg 15'
Con: Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 16' (1/1)
Pen: Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 3', 8', 12', 25', 58' (5/5)
Cards: Pauliasi Manu Yellow card.svg 76'		Report [17]
Scoreboard [18] 		Try: Shota Horie Ru ball.svg 44'
Con: Jason Woodward Rugby penalty.svg 45' (1/1)
Pen: Jason Woodward Rugby penalty.svg 28', 40', 65' (3/4)
Cards: Scott Higginbotham Yellow card.svg 55' to 66'		Attendance: 11,845
Referee: Matt O'Brien
Round 1019 April 2014 Chiefs 17–18 Crusaders Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: Tom Marshall Ru ball.svg 40'
Con: Gareth Anscombe (0/1)
Pen: Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 14', 29', 32', 38' (4/5)		Report [19]
Scoreboard [20] 		Pen: Colin Slade Rugby penalty.svg 5', 10', 16', 50', 69', 72' (6/8)
Cards: Dominic Bird Yellow card.svg 28' to 39'		Attendance: 17,097
Referee: Garratt Williamson
Round 1125 April 2014 Brumbies 41–23 Chiefs GIO Stadium, Canberra  
17:40Try: Matt To'omua Ru ball.svg 30', 81'
Joe Tomane Ru ball.svg 47'
Tevita Kuridrani Ru ball.svg 57', 61'
Con: Christian Lealiifano Rugby penalty.svg 31' (1/4)
Nic White Rugby penalty.svg 62' (1/1)
Pen: Christian Lealiifano Rugby penalty.svg 18', 37' (2/3)
Nic White Rugby penalty.svg 54', 64' (2/2)		Report [21]
Scoreboard [22] 		Try: Brad Weber Ru ball.svg 74'
Josh Hohneck Ru ball.svg 79'
Con: Andrew Horrell Rugby penalty.svg 74', 80' (2/2)
Pen: Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 10', 25', 45' (3/4)
Cards: James Lowe Yellow card.svg 53' to 63'		Attendance: 16,159
Referee: Steve Walsh
Round 123 May 2014 Chiefs 38–8 Lions Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: Gareth Anscombe Ru ball.svg 23'
Tanerau Latimer Ru ball.svg 38'
Charlie Ngatai Ru ball.svg 40'
Pauliasi Manu Ru ball.svg 44'
Bundee Aki Ru ball.svg 72'
Tim Nanai-Williams Ru ball.svg 76'
Con: Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 24', 40', 45' (3/4)
Andrew Horrell Rugby penalty.svg 77' (1/2)
Pen: Gareth Anscombe (0/1)		Report [23]
Scoreboard [24] 		Try: Courtnall Skosan Ru ball.svg 47'
Con: Elton Jantjies (0/1)
Pen: Elton Jantjies Rugby penalty.svg 9' (1/2)		Attendance: 11,168
Referee: Chris Pollock
Round 139 May 2014 Chiefs 32–20 Blues Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth  
19:35Try: Ben Tameifuna Ru ball.svg 11', 43'
Tim Nanai-Williams Ru ball.svg 21'
Tom Marshall Ru ball.svg 51'
Con: Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 12', 22', 52' (3/4)
Pen: Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 29', 40' (2/3)
Cards: Tim Nanai-Williams Yellow card.svg 65' to 75'		Report [25]
Scoreboard [26] 		Try: Lolagi Visinia Ru ball.svg 7'
George Moala Ru ball.svg 68'
Con: Simon Hickey Rugby penalty.svg 8' (1/1)
Ihaia West Rugby penalty.svg 69' (1/1)
Pen: Simon Hickey Rugby penalty.svg 31', 36' (2/2)		Attendance: 10,888
Referee: Mike Fraser
Round 1524 May 2014 Hurricanes 45–8 Chiefs Westpac Stadium, Wellington  
19:35Try: Andre Taylor Ru ball.svg 4'
Ben Franks Ru ball.svg 21'
Julian Savea Ru ball.svg 30', 51'
Jack Lam Ru ball.svg 63'
Brad Shields Ru ball.svg 72'
Con: Beauden Barrett Rugby penalty.svg 5', 22', 31', 52', 64', 73' (6/6)
Pen: Beauden Barrett Rugby penalty.svg 47' (1/1)
Cards: Reggie Goodes Yellow card.svg 55' to 65'		Report [27]
Scoreboard [28] 		Try: Liam Squire Ru ball.svg 15'
Con: Gareth Anscombe (0/1)
Pen: Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 3' (1/1)
Cards: Brodie Retallick Yellow card.svg 60' to 70'		Attendance: 10,334
Referee: Angus Gardner
Round 1631 May 2014 Chiefs 17–33 Waratahs Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth  
16:35Try: Bundee Aki Ru ball.svg 55', 62'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 56', 63' (2/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 3' (1/2)		Report [29]
Scoreboard [30] 		Try: Israel Folau Ru ball.svg 15'
Dave Dennis Ru ball.svg 72'
Bernard Foley Ru ball.svg 80'
Con: Bernard Foley Rugby penalty.svg 16', 73', 81' (3/3)
Pen: Bernard Foley Rugby penalty.svg 9', 27', 68' (3/3)
Kurtley Beale Rugby penalty.svg 58' (1/1)		Referee: Chris Pollock
Round 1727 June 2014 Highlanders 29–25 Chiefs Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin  
19:35Try: Patrick Osborne Ru ball.svg 14'
Ben Smith Ru ball.svg 49'
Con: Lima Sopoaga Rugby penalty.svg 15', 50' (2/2)
Pen: Lima Sopoaga Rugby penalty.svg 35', 43', 54', 60' (4/4)
Hayden Parker Rugby penalty.svg 73' (1/1)
Drop: Hayden Parker (0/1)		Report [31]
Scoreboard [32] 		Try: Dwayne Sweeney Ru ball.svg 17'
Tim Nanai-Williams Ru ball.svg 67'
Josh Hohneck Ru ball.svg 76'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 18', 76' (2/3)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 7' (1/1)
Gareth Anscombe Rugby penalty.svg 30' (1/1)		Referee: Garratt Williamson
Round 184 July 2014 Chiefs 24–16 Hurricanes Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35Try: Jamie Mackintosh Ru ball.svg 28'
Brodie Retallick Ru ball.svg 62'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 29' (1/2)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 21', 37', 40', 58' (4/6)		Report [33]
Scoreboard [34] 		Try: Hadleigh Parkes Ru ball.svg 65'
Con: Beauden Barrett Rugby penalty.svg 66' (1/1)
Pen: Beauden Barrett Rugby penalty.svg 23', 34', 46' (3/5)		Referee: Nick Briant
Round 1911 July 2014 Blues 8–11 Chiefs Eden Park, Auckland  
19:35Try: George Moala Ru ball.svg 69'
Con: Ihaia West (0/1)
Pen: Ihaia West Rugby penalty.svg 44' (1/2)
Cards: Ma'a Nonu Yellow card.svg 36' to 47'		Report [35]
Scoreboard [36] 		Try: Liam Messam Ru ball.svg 49'
Con: Aaron Cruden (0/1)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 24', 62' (2/4)
Gareth Anscombe (0/1)
Cards: Michael Fitzgerald Yellow card.svg 66' to 76'		Referee: Glen Jackson
Qualifier19 July 2014 Brumbies 32–30 Chiefs GIO Stadium, Canberra  
19:40Try: Nic White Ru ball.svg 6'
Robbie Coleman Ru ball.svg 10'
Jesse Mogg Ru ball.svg 21'
Jarrad Butler Ru ball.svg 61'
Con: Christian Lealiifano Rugby penalty.svg 7', 11', 62' (3/4)
Pen: Christian Lealiifano Rugby penalty.svg 29', 45' (2/4)
Cards: Henry Speight Yellow card.svg 48' to 58'		Report [37]
Scoreboard [38] 		Try: Bundee Aki Ru ball.svg 35'
Tawera Kerr-Barlow Ru ball.svg 50'
Tim Nanai-Williams Ru ball.svg 55'
Gareth Anscombe Ru ball.svg 77'
Con: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 36', 51' (2/4)
Pen: Aaron Cruden Rugby penalty.svg 3', 42' (2/2)
Cards: Tim Nanai-Williams Yellow card.svg 5' to 16'		Attendance: 14,284
Referee: Craig Joubert

Squad

The Chiefs squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season were: [39]

2014 Chiefs squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Midfield

Wingers

Fullbacks

(c) denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped.

Player statistics

The Chiefs players' appearance and scoring statistics for the 2014 Super Rugby season are:

PlayerAppsTriesConsPensDGsPtsYCRC
Ben Afeaki 1-------
Bundee Aki 114---20--
Gareth Anscombe 143917-84--
Carl Axtens --------
Nick Barrett 1-------
Sam Cane 10-------
Nick Crosswell 3-------
Aaron Cruden 1212119-104--
Hika Elliot --------
Ross Filipo 3-------
Michael Fitzgerald 161---52-
Robbie Fruean 41---5--
Nathan Harris 10-------
Josh Hohneck 132---10--
Andrew Horrell 11-3--6--
Tawera Kerr-Barlow 152---10--
Tevita Koloamatangi 51---5--
Tanerau Latimer 152---10--
Anton Lienert-Brown 3-------
James Lowe 102---101-
Jamie Mackintosh 171---5--
Pauliasi Manu 171---51-
Rhys Marshall 9-------
Tom Marshall 153---15--
Liam Messam 173---15--
Mils Muliaina 61---5--
Tim Nanai-Williams 177---352-
Charlie Ngatai 62---10--
Jordan Payne 2-------
Augustine Pulu 112---10--
Brodie Retallick 161---51-
Robbie Robinson --------
Mahonri Schwalger 13-------
Liam Squire 101---5--
Dwayne Sweeney 81---5--
Matt Symons 141---51-
Ben Tameifuna 172---101-
Kane Thompson 6-------
Asaeli Tikoirotuma 122---10--
Brad Weber 71---5--
Total17483435-4139-

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "SA Rugby Log – 2014 Vodacom Super Rugby". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  2. ↑ "2014 Super Rugby Schedule" (Press release). SANZAR. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "Chiefs make perfect Super Rugby start". SANZAR. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  4. ↑ "Chiefs win battle of attrition over Crusaders". sportal.co.nz. All Blacks. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  5. ↑ "Match Centre: Crusaders v Chiefs". SANZAR. 15 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  6. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Crusaders 10–18 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "Chiefs made to work for their win". SANZAR. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 21–19 Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Defending champs dispose of Stormers". SANZAR. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  10. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 36–20 DHL Stormers". South African Rugby Union. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "Force stun Chiefs". SANZAR. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  12. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Force 18–15 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  13. ↑ "Chiefs stage late comeback to snatch draw". SANZAR. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Vodacom Bulls 34–34 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Chiefs late show snatches draw". SANZAR. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  16. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Toyota Cheetahs 43–43 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  17. ↑ "Weary Chiefs do just enough to deny Rebels". SANZAR. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  18. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 22–16 Rebels". South African Rugby Union. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  19. ↑ "Crusaders take down the champions". SANZAR. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  20. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 17–18 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  21. ↑ "Brumbies thrash the champs". SANZAR. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  22. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Brumbies 41–23 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  23. ↑ "Chiefs dismantle Lions in Hamilton". SANZAR. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 38–8 Lions". South African Rugby Union. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  25. ↑ "Chiefs put locals on notice in Taranaki". SANZAR. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 32–20 Blues". South African Rugby Union. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  27. ↑ "Hurricanes obliterate the Chiefs". SANZAR. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  28. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 45–8 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  29. ↑ "Impressive 'Tahs march on". SANZAR. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  30. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 17–33 Waratahs". South African Rugby Union. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  31. ↑ "Highlanders edge Chiefs in thriller". SANZAR. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  32. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 29–25 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  33. ↑ "Chiefs hang tough to stay alive". SANZAR. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  34. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 24–16 Hurricanes". South African Rugby Union. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  35. ↑ "Champions clinch Finals berth". SANZAR. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  36. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blues 8–11 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  37. ↑ "Brumbies end Chiefs' title run". SANZAR. 19 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  38. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Brumbies 32–30 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 19 July 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  39. ↑ "Chiefs 2014 Super Rugby Squad". SuperXV. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.

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In 2016, the Sunwolves participated in the 2016 Super Rugby competition, their first ever appearance in the competition. They were included in the Africa 1 Conference of the competition, along with the Bulls, Cheetahs and Stormers.

In 2012, following the disappointing results of previous years, the Chiefs underwent a significant change in personnel. This included the recruitment of new coaches, including Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith, and players, including Aaron Cruden, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick and Sonny Bill Williams. The changes had an immediate impact as the Chiefs finished at the top of the New Zealand conference, qualifying for a home semi-final, which they won, defeating the Crusaders 20–17. They subsequently hosted the final for the first time in the teams's history, comprehensively defeating the Sharks by 37–6, claiming their first title. They also set many club records in the 2012 season, including: most home wins, best home streak, best season winning streak, and most points and tries scored.

2013 was a successful year for the Chiefs rugby team winning 12 of their Super rugby games to top the table and then went on to beat Crusaders in the Semi-final and Brumbies in the final. The Chiefs also became the New Zealand Conference winners and take out the BNZ Cup

2015 was another tough year for the Chiefs rugby team. They won 10 of their Super Rugby games and finished 5th overall on the table for the 2nd year in a row, and 3rd behind the Hurricanes and Highlanders in the New Zealand Conference. Playing the Highlanders in the qualifying finals in Dunedin was always going to be tough losing 24-14.

The 2017 Super Rugby season was the 22nd season of Super Rugby, an annual rugby union competition organised by SANZAAR between teams from Argentina, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. It was the second season featuring an expanded 18-team format, following the competition's expansion from 15 teams prior to the 2016 season.

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